Basketball training system

ABSTRACT

A basketball training system includes a basketball training machine, a wearable physiological monitor, a wearable player motion monitor, and a ball motion monitor. Data from the training machine and the monitors is used to provide feedback to the player on shooting performance, shooting form and technique, and intensity level of the workout. The system can provide programmed workouts that include shooting drills and exercise segments to combine shooting practice with conditioning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/157,566 filed on May 6, 2015, and entitled “BASKETBALL TRAININGSYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to sports training, and in particular tosystems that guide an athlete through a sports training workout andprovide measures of quantity and quality of the activities incorporatedin the workout.

Training in sports involves the development of skills as well asphysical conditioning. The game of basketball requires physical strengthand conditioning, and also requires special skills. Successfuldevelopment of those skills requires repetition during practice.

Although it is a team sport, basketball presents opportunities for anindividual player to practice and improve his or her game without theneed for other players to be present. A player can develop ball handlingskills and shooting skills through individual practice.

Basketball players develop their shooting skills by shooting thebasketball from various locations on the court. If a second player isnot present to rebound, the shooter must rebound his or her own shots.The rebounding process can waste time that could otherwise be used intaking more shots. Over the past several decades, a number of ballcollecting devices have been developed to collect basketball shot at thebasketball goal (i.e. the backboard and the attached hoop). The ballcollecting devices generally include netting and a frame for supportingthe netting around the basketball goal. The ball collecting devices areoften used with a ball delivery device, which directs the ball back tothe player.

Motorized ball delivery device can return basketballs to a shooter atvarious locations on a basketball court. The ball delivery device canhave programs that determine which direction to return balls to theplayer, how many times to return the ball, etc.

Some basketball training systems also calculate shooting percentage. Thesystem monitors how many balls are delivered to the player, and how manyshots go through the basketball hoop (i.e. shots made). The systemcalculates a shooting percentage based on the number of shots taken andthe number of shots made. The systems provide information on whether aplayer is shooting well or poorly, but do not provide data on why theplayer is shooting well or poorly.

Successful shooting of a basketball can be affected by a number offactors including a player's form or technique in shooting, and theconditioning of the shooter. Often young players can develop habits thatresult in poor shooting form or technique. When those habits arerepeated over a long period of time, they can be difficult to break.Continuing to practice using improper form or technique can result insome improvement in the player's shooting, but may ultimately limit theplayer's success. In some cases, poor form or technique may have lesseffect when the player is taking uncontested shots, but may limit theplayer's ability to score in game conditions, when the player taking theshot is being guarded by another player.

With younger players, there is a potential of picking up bad habits andpoor technique or form in shooting because a young player may not havethe physical strength to shoot the ball using the techniques needed whenthe player gets older. This can result in a young player practicing overan extended period of time using an improper or less than ideal shootingform, and having that form be carried on to the players older years,when he or she has developed enough physical strength to shoot the ballproperly. In that situation, practice can actually reinforce bad habits,rather than help the player developing good habits.

As players advance in skill and experience, they are often confrontedwith the realization that the speed of the game gets “faster”. Playerscan encounter this as they step up from junior varsity to varsity, fromhigh school varsity to college, and from college to professionalbasketball. At each step along the way, the player is confronted withthe realization he or she will need to get shots off quicker. Inaddition, the player is confronted with the need to be in condition toplay the game at a faster pace in order to succeed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a basketball training system includes a basketballtraining machine, a physiological monitor that is worn by a player usingthe system, and a wearable player motion monitor. Physiological datafrom the physiological monitor and sensor data from the player motionmonitor are wirelessly communicated and are combined with machine dataproduced by the basketball training machine to provide performancereports that include information about shots taken and shots made, aswell as physiological condition of the player at the time the shots weretaken, and information about the form and technique used by the playerin taking the shots.

In another embodiment, a basketball training system includes abasketball training machine having a ball collector, a ball returner,and sensors for determining shots taken and shots made. The system alsoincludes wearable monitors for sensing one or more physiologicalparameters of the player and for sensing the player's movement. Thesystem includes a user interface that communicates with a player toindicate activities to be performed by the player during a workout. Theworkout includes shooting requirements and exercise requirements. Whilethe workout is being performed, performance of the player in meeting theshooting requirements is collected. During exercise portions of theworkout, movement of the player is monitored to provide data oncompliance of the player with the exercise requirements. Physiologicalcondition of the player is monitored during both shooting and exerciseportions of the workout, as well as after the workout, so that intensityof the player's activity during shooting and exercise portions of theworkout can be determined, and recovery time of the player from theshooting and exercise activities can be determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a basketball training machine that includes aball collection system and a ball delivery system.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the ball delivery system of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the ball delivery system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ball launch mechanism of the balldelivery system.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show the spring preload mechanism of the ball launchmechanism in two different positions.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate one complete cycle of operation of the balllaunch mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a toggle arm actuator mechanism of theball delivery system.

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the rotation drive of theball delivery system.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control system of the ball deliverysystem.

FIG. 10 shows the keyboard and display of the console of the balldelivery system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a basketballtraining system that includes a basketball training machine, a playerworn physiological and motion sensors, and a ball motion sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a side view of basketball training machine 10. Basketballtraining machine 10 includes two main systems, ball collection system 12and ball delivery system 14.

Ball collection system 12 includes net 16, net frame 18, base 20, shotsmade counter 22 (which includes made shots funnel 24, shots made sensor26, and counter support frame 28), and upper ball feeder 30. Whenmachine 10 is used for shooting practice, net 16 is positioned in frontof a basketball backboard (not shown) so that the basketball hoop andnet (not shown) are immediately above shots made counter 22. The size ofnet 16 is large enough so that missed shots (which do not go through thebasketball hoop and net and through shots made counter 22) will still becollected by net 16 and funneled down to upper ball feeder 30.

Ball delivery system 14 includes ball launching machine 32, main ballfeeder 34, and ball ready holder 36. Ball launching machine 32 ispivotally mounted on base 20. The inlet of main ball feeder 34 ispositioned immediately below the outlet of upper ball feeder 30. Balllaunching machine 32 is pivotable about an axis that is aligned with theinlet of main ball feeder 34 and the outlet of upper ball feeder 30.Balls drop out of upper ball feeder 30 into main ball feeder 34. Ballsare delivered one at a time from main ball feeder 34 into ball readyholder 36 at the front of ball launching machine 32. Launch arm 38(shown in FIG. 2) launches the basketball out of holder 36 to a locationon the floor where the player catches the ball and shoots. The locationon the floor where the ball is delivered can be changed by pivotingmachine 32 with respect to base 20.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of ball delivery system 14 from the frontand left of ball launching machine 32. In this view, ball collectionsystem 12 is not shown. Ball delivery system 14 includes ball launchingmachine 32, to which main ball feeder 34 and ball ready holder 36 aremounted. Ball launching machine 32 includes launch arm 38, bottomplatform 40 (which is pivotably mounted to base 20 of ball collectionsystem 12), and outer shell 42 (which encloses the ball launchingmechanism and controls that operate machine 32. Front face 44 of outershell 42 includes electronic front display 46, pre-launch warning light48 and front opening 50. Also shown in FIG. 2 are ball ready lever 52and toggle arm 54.

Balls that are collected by ball collection system 12 enter the upperend of main ball feeder 34 and directed downward and forward to togglearm 54, which stops further ball movement. When toggle arm 54 isactuated, it pivots to release a single ball to travel further downwardand forward into ball ready holder 36. As shown in FIG. 2, ball readyholder 36 slopes downward and rearward through opening 50 into balllaunching machine 32. As the ball rolls down ball ready holder 36 towardlaunch arm 38, it contacts ball ready lever 52. When ball ready lever 52is depressed by a ball in ball ready holder 36, it provides a ball readyinput signal to the control system of machine 32. This causes a motordriven cycle to be initiated in which launch arm is engaged and pulledbackward while a tension spring is extended. As the cycle continues,launch arm 38 is released and the spring force drives launch arm 38forward to hit the ball and launch it forward out of machine 32 and ballready holder 36.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of ball delivery system 14 from the rearand right of machine 32. At the top of shell 42 are USB port 56 andconsole 58, which allow a user to input information and select operatingmodes of machine 32, and to receive outputs including data collected bymachine as well as menus, instructions, and prompts.

At the rear of machine 32 are ball distance adjustment knob 60 and balldistance pre-select plate 62. Knob 60 and plate 62 are used to changethe spring tension or preload on the spring that drives launch arm 38.The greater the preload, the further the distance the ball will bedriven by launch arm 38 when it is released. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, plate 62 contains diagonal notched track 64, which includes fivenotches at which the tension rod connected to adjustment knob 60 can bepositioned. The lower the position of knob 60, the greater the preloadand the farther the ball will be launched.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of ball launch mechanism 70 built on baseframe 40, which is rotatably mounted to base 20 of ball collectionsystem 12. Ball launch mechanism 70 launches balls using launch arm 38,which is pivotally mounted by pivot pin 72 to arm support uprights 74.At its upper end, launch arm 38 carries grab pin 76. At its lower end,launch arm 38 carries cross bar 78. Mounted to cross bar 78 are bumpersor cushions 80, which engage arm support uprights 74 to stop rearwardmovement of the lower end of launch arm 38 (and limit the forwardmovement of the upper end of strike are 38). Bracket 82 is mounted tothe lower end of launch arm 38 and connects the forward end of throwspring 84 to the lower end of launch arm 38. The rear end of throwspring 84 is connected to the upper end of throw spring tensioner 86. Asshown in FIG. 4, the lower end of throw spring tensioner 86 is pivotallyconnected to platform 40. The position of throw spring tensioner 86, andthus the tension or preload of throw spring 84 is controlled by alinkage between ball distance adjustment knob 60 and tensioner 86. Thiswill be shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Ball ready lever 52 is positioned above the upper end of launch arm 38in FIG. 4. Ball ready lever 52 is mounted at the top of supportframework 88, which extends upward from platform 40 and includes anumber of vertical and horizontal tubular members. Ball ready sensor 90is mounted adjacent ball ready lever 52, so that when a ball rollsbackward and downward in ball ready holder 36 and presses lever 52, ballready sensor 90 changes state to indicate that a ball is in place and isready to be launched.

The retracting and then release of launch arm 38 is performed by amotorized drive system that includes drive motor 92, crank arm 94, grabarm 96 with hook 98, guide arm 100, movable guide wheel 102, stationaryguide wheel 104, guide arm spring 106, and drive motor sensor 108. Crankarm 94 is fixedly connected at its inner end to shaft 110 of motor 92,and is pivotally connected at its outer end to the lower end of grab arm96. As crank arm 94 is rotated through a 360 degree cycle by motor 92,grab arm 96 is guided between movable guide wheel 102 and stationaryguide wheel 104. Guide arm spring 106 applies a spring bias to movableguide when 102 to keep guide wheel 102 in engagement with grab arm 96 sothat grab arm 96 is contained between movable guide arm 102 andstationary guide wheel 104.

During a cycle, grab arm 96 will be moved so that hook 98 engages grabpin 76 and pulls the upper end of launch arm 38 rearward against thestring force of throw spring 84. As the cycle continues, grab pin 76will be pulled rearward to a maximum distance. Further rotation of crankarm 94 causes hook 98 to disengage from grab pin 76, which releaseslaunch arm 38 to move forward and launch the ball sitting on ball readyholder 36. The distance that the ball will travel depends on the amountof preload applied to throw spring 84 through throw spring tensioner 86.

The cycle is limited to one rotation of motor shaft 110. Drive motorsensor 108 is engaged by crank arm 94 as the cycle is being completed,and causes the cycle to be ended.

FIG. 4 also shows rotation calibration sensors 112 that are mounted onplatform 40. These sensors are used to determine the center position ofplatform 40, which allows machine 32 to calibrate the rotationpotentiometer that keeps track of the position on the floor where theball is being delivered.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show ball launch mechanism 70 with the mechanism forpreloading throw spring 84 in place. Both FIGS. 5A and 5B show launchmechanism 70 after grab arm 96 has released grab pin 76 and launch arm38 has moved forward and launched the ball. Bumpers 80 are positionedagainst arm support uprights 74. As seen, grab arm 96 is orientedvertically and hook 98 is rearward of grab pin 76. Shown in FIGS. 5A and5B are ball distance adjustment knob 60, ball distance pre-select plate62, track 64, clamp 114, tension rod 116, and spring assist 118. Tensionrod 116 is connected at its outer end to knob 60 by clamp 114, and isconnected at its inner end to throw spring tensioner 86. Spring assist118 has its lower end connected to tension rod 116 near throw springtensioner 86, and is connected at its upper end to support framework 88.The angle of tensioner 86, and thus the amount of tension preload onthrow spring 84, depends on which notch of track 64 is holding tensionrod 116. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate two of the possible positions oftension rod 116.

FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate a cycle of the drive system that retracts andthen releases launch arm 38 to launch a ball. In FIGS. 6A-6F, throwspring 84 is not shown for simplicity and clarity. The starting andending point for each cycle is with grab arm 96 in a verticalorientation and hook 98 rearward of grab pin 76 and launch arm 38. Thatposition is shown as the start/end position in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6A shows the outer end of crank arm 94 in contact with drive motorsensor 108. Motor 92 is stopped, grab arm 94 is nearly vertical and isheld between guide wheels 102 and 104. The upper end of launch arm 38and grab pin 76 are at their forward most position. In response to asignal from ball ready sensor 90 indicating a ball is in position onball ready holder 36 (not shown), drive motor 92 is activated and beginsto rotate motor shaft 110 and crank arm 94 in a clockwise direction.

FIG. 6B shows the cycle at the point where crank arm 94 has rotated to aposition where grab arm 96 is lifted away from stationary guide wheel104. The spring bias provided by guide arm spring 106 to movable guidewheel 102 has caused grab arm 96 to pivot so that hook 98 moves forwardover grab pin 76.

FIG. 6C shows grab arm 96 pulling grab pin 76 and launch arm 38 rearwardas crank arm continues its clockwise rotation. Movable guide wheel 102and guide arm spring 106 keep hook 98 in engagement with grab pin 76.

FIG. 6D show grab pin 76 at its furthest rearward and downward position.Further clockwise rotation of crank arm 94 will begin to cause hook 98to disengage for grab pin 76, as illustrated in FIG. 6E.

In FIG. 6F, hook 98 has released grab pin 76 and the upper end of launcharm 38 has moved forward rapidly to strike and launch the ball. At thepoint shown in FIG. 6F, the cycle is not yet complete. Crank arm willcontinue to rotate in the clockwise direction until the outer end ofcrank arm 94 engages drive motor sensor 108. At that point, drive motor92 stops with the mechanism in the position shown in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 shows toggle arm actuator mechanism 120, which operates togglearm 54. Mechanism 120 includes motor shaft 122, cam 124, cam followerguide wheel 126, guide blocks 128 and 130, spring 132, toggle rod 134,and sensor 136. When a ball has been launched, ball ready sensor 90indicates that there is no longer a ball waiting in ball ready holder 36to be launched. That initiates cam drive motor 150 (shown in FIG. 9) torotate motor shaft 122 in a counterclockwise direction. As motor shaft122 rotates, cam 124 rotates and guide wheel 126 follows the contour ofcam 124. Spring applies a downward spring bias to toggle rod 134 toensure the guide wheel 126 and toggle rod 134 will follow cam 124. Whenguide wheel 126 and toggle rod 134 move downward, the upper end oftoggle rod 134 pulls the forward end of toggle arm 54 downward torelease one ball downward and forward into ball ready holder 36. Asmotor shaft 122 and cam 124 continue to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection, guide wheel 126 and toggle rod 134 are driven upward to blockany further ball from moving past toggle arm 54. The rotation of motorshaft 122 continues until sensor 136 signals that one completerevolution has been completed.

The coordinated operation of ball launch mechanism 70 and toggle armactuator mechanism 120 causes balls collected by ball collection system12 and delivered to main ball feeder 34 to be supplied one at a timeonto ball ready holder 36. When a ball is in position on ball readyholder 36, launch mechanism 70 initiates a cycle in which grab arm 96retracts launch arm 38 and loads throw spring 84, and then releaseslaunch arm 38 so that the spring force causes launch arm 38 to strikethe ball and launch the ball off ball ready holder 36 to the player.

FIG. 8 shows a view of ball launch mechanism 70 of ball launchingmachine 32 in which the mechanism for rotating ball launch machine 32with respect to base 20 can be seen. In addition, many of the componentsof ball launch mechanism 70 that have previously discussed are alsolabeled and can be seen in FIG. 8. Among those components that havealready been discussed are launch arm 38, bottom platform 40 (which ispivotably mounted to base 20 of ball collection system 12), balldistance adjustment knob 60, ball distance pre-select plate 62, anddiagonal notched track 64, arm support uprights 74, cross bar 78,bumpers 80, bracket 82, throw spring 84, drive motor 92, grab arm 96,guide arm 100, movable guide wheel 102, stationary guide wheel 104,guide arm spring 106, and drive motor sensor 108. Components of togglearm actuator mechanism 120 seen in FIG. 8 include cam 124, cam followerguide wheel 126, guide blocks 128 and 130, spring 132, toggle rod 134,and ball feeder sensor 136.

The rotation drive mechanism shown in FIG. 8 includes rotation gearmotor 140, rotatable spur gear 142, stationary spur gear 144, rotationpotentiometer 146, and potentiometer bracket 148. Platform 40 is rotatedwith respect to base 20 by rotation of rotatable spur gear 142 withrespect to stationary spur gear 144. Spur gear 142 is driven by rotationgear motor 140. Stationary spur gear 144 is mounted on a shaft that isconnected to base 20 (shown in FIG. 1). As rotatable spur gear 142rotates, base 40 and all of the components mounted to base 40 rotateabout the axis of the shaft on which stationary spur gear 144 ismounted. Rotation gear motor 140 can drive rotatable spur gear 142 ineither a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Potentiometer 146 isconnected to the shaft on which stationary spur gear 144 is mounted, andproduces a variable resistance that is a function of the rotationalposition of platform 40.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the control system of ball delivery system14. Shown in FIG. 9 shot made sensor 26, are front display 46,pre-launch warning light 48, USB port 56, console 58, ball ready sensor90, launch drive motor sensor 108, rotation calibration sensor 112, ballfeeder sensor 136, rotation motor 140, rotation potentiometer 146, ballfeeder toggle motor 150, power supply 152, AC cable 154, controller 156,fan 158, and remote control 160.

Controller 156 is a microprocessor based controller that coordinates theoperation of display board 46, safety light 48, console 58, motors 92,140, and 150, and fan 158. Controller 156 receives input data andcommands from console 58 and remote control 160. It also can supply datathat is stored to a storage device (such as a flash drive or a computer)through USB port 56. Sensors 26, 90, 108, 136, and potentiometer 146 areused by controller 156 in coordinating and controlling the operations ofmotors 92, 140, and 150. Calibration sensors 112 are used by controller156 during set up to provide calibration of the signal frompotentiometer 146, which is used to determine the rotational position ofball launching machine 32.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a screen of console 58. In one embodiment,console 58 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) touchscreen withdisplay area 200 for displaying information and data such as theparticular drill performed, the tempo at which the drill was performed,the number of shots made, the number of shots taken, and the elapsedtime. Console 58 also includes basic control keyboard area 202 andadvanced keyboard area 204. Basic control keyboard 202 includes Powerkey 210, Start Stop key 212, increase key 214, decrease key 216, Enterkey 218, Locations key 220, Balls Per Location key 222, Tempo key 224,and Reset key 226. One other basic control key, Drills key 228 islocated within advanced controls keyboard area 204.

The advanced control keys found in advance controls keyboard area 204include Workouts key 230, Shooting Percentage key 232, Player ID key234, Mid-Range Shot key 236, and Upload key 238.

The functions of the basic controls are as follows: Power key 202 powerson ball delivery system 14. Start/Stop key 212 starts and stops aworkout or drill. Keys 214 and 216 increase and decrease a setting,respectively. Enter key 218 accepts settings. Locations key 220 allowsthe user to select or edit throwing locations. Balls Per Location key222 allows the user to edit the number of balls that will be passed toeach selected location. Tempo key 224 allows the user to edit the timeelapsed between each ball being passed. Reset key 226 resets the currentsettings. Drills key 228 selects a pre-programmed drill or workout.

The functions of the advanced controls are as follows: Workouts key 230selects a workout program. Shooting Percentage key 232 allows user toview shooting percentage by location after a workout. Player ID key 234allows the user to enter a player's initials or code. This is used forshooting statistics uploading. Mid-Range Shot key 236 selects amid-range jump shot versus a 3 point shot. This is also used whenuploading shooting statistics. Upload key 238 allows data from a workoutto be uploaded through USB port 56 to a storage device, such as a flashdrive or a computer.

In one basic workout, the user simply wishes to shoot from a singlelocation. The user aims ball launching machine 32 in the direction thatthe user wants to pass the ball. The aiming of ball launching machine 32is achieved by pressing Enter key 218 while pressing the appropriateincrease or decrease key 214 or 216. When ball launching machine 32 isaimed at the desired location, the user presses Start/Stop key 212. Toadjust the tempo during this workout, the user presses Tempo key 224.

A workout can also involve shooting from multiple locations. In thatcase, the user presses Locations key 220. A display then appears onscreen 200 showing an arc with a series of numbered locations. Aflashing location indicates the current position of a cursor. The usermakes use of keys 214 and 216 to move the cursor from one position toanother. To select a particular location, the cursor is moved to thatlocation, and the user presses Enter key 218. To deselect a location,the user also presses Enter key 218.

User presses Balls Per Location key 222 to choose the number of balls tobe passed to the selected locations. Tempo key 224 is pressed to choosethe desired time between each ball passed. Once the workout has beendefined in terms of locations, balls per location, and tempo, the userpresses Start/Stop key 212. The workout can be paused and resumed byusing Start/Stop key 212 or remote control 160.

Controller 156 can store pre-programmed drills. The pre-programmeddrills may be preloaded into controller 156 so they are available whenbasketball training machine 10 is delivered to a customer, or may bedeveloped and loaded into the machine at a later time.

To choose a pre-programmed drill, the user presses Drills key 228. Eachpre-programmed drill will be called up in sequence as the user continuesto press Drills key 228. When the desired drill is reached, the userpresses Start/Stop key 212. The user can then edit any drill by simplychanging the setting using Locations key 220, Balls Per Location key222, Tempo key 224, or Workouts key 230.

To save a new drill, the user presses Drills key 228 and then choosesthe drill number that he or she wishes to save. The user then makes useof Locations key 220, Balls Per Location key 222, Tempo key 224, andoptionally Workouts key 230 to choose drill settings. Once the drillsettings are chosen, the user presses Drills key 228 again. Enter key218 is then pressed and held until screen 200 displays “Drill Saved”.

Remote control 160 communicates wirelessly with controller 156. Remotecontrol 160 can be used to pause and resume any workout. It can also beused in remote mode to pass a ball. A remote mode is activated atconsole 58 by pressing Tempo key 224 and then using keys 214 and 216 toselect the remote mode. The user then presses Start/Stop key 212. Theuser can then press one of the buttons on remote control 160 to pauseball launching machine 32 to pass a ball. To exit the remote mode, theuser changes tempo using Tempo key 224 and keys 214 and 216, or pressesReset key 226.

A user can select a workout program before or after entering settingswith Locations key 220, Balls Per Location key 222, and Tempo key 224.When selecting a workout program, the user presses Workouts key 230.There are several types of workouts that can be selected by the user.

A time workout allows the user to set the amount of time the user wantsto train. Controller 156 will stop ball launching machine 32 once theselected time has expired.

A shots taken workout allows the user to set out a total of shots to betaken. Controller 156 will automatically stop once the total number ofshots goal has been met. This is determined by counting the number ofball launching cycles have occurred since the start of the workout.

A shots made workout allows the user to set an amount of total shotsthat have to be made during the workout. Controller 156 will count shotsmade using inputs from shots made sensor 26, and will automatically stopmachine 32 when the shots made goal has been met.

A compete workout allows the user to set the amount of shots maderequired before controller 156 will cause machine 32 to throw to thenext location. This can be used in conjunction with other workouts. Thenumber of shots made is determined by controller 156 based upon inputsfrom shots made sensor 26. For the compete mode, more than one locationmust have been selected as part of the workout.

A two player compete mode allows selection of a location for eachplayer. Front display 46 shows the amount of shots made by each player.After the workout, the users can press Shooting Percentage key 232 toview individual stats.

The user can view real-time shooting statistics with ball launchingmachine 32. Statistics can be viewed after a workout has elapsed or bypressing start stop key 212 to pause a current workout. If shots madesensor 26 is connected (i.e., is being used), the average shootingpercentage is calculated by controller 156 and displayed on screen 200.The shooting percentages obtained by pressing Shooting Percentage key232. Shots made, shots taken, time, and shooting percentage showstatistics per location. The user can arrow through each selectedlocation using keys 214 and 216 to view the individual statistics foreach position on the court.

Tracking a 2-point versus 3-point shot can also be provided. Beforepressing Start/Stop key 212 on any workout, the user first pressesMid-Range Shot key 236. As a result of that key press, controller 156now assumes all shots taken are from inside the 3-point line. To exitmid-range mode, the user again presses Mid-Range Shot key 236. To trackfree throw shooting, the user presses Locations key 220 and uses keys214 and 216 to go to the center most location. The user then presses andholds Enter key 218 for two seconds. To exit free throw shootingtracking, the user deselects the center location by pressing Enter key218 or pressing Reset key 226.

Statistics can be uploaded to a flash drive that is attached to USB port56. To upload shooting statistics, a player ID must first be enteredprior to starting a workout. A date and time must be entered usingsettings mode. Settings mode can be entered by powering on machine 32 orby pressing Reset key 226. Keys 214 and 216 are then pressedsimultaneously and held for two seconds. Then keys 214 and 216 can beused to move between various selections such as selecting time and date.Enter key 218 is used to navigate in the settings mode.

To enter a player ID into controller 156, Player ID key 234 is pressed.A user's three character ID is then entered. Once the player ID has beenentered, the user can choose a drill, or set up a workout and pressStart/Stop key 212.

When the workout has ended, a USB flash drive is inserted into USB port56. The user then presses Upload key 238. This causes the shootingstatistics to be saved by controller 156 to USB flash drive in USB port56. The statistics are saved as a single file. This process can berepeated many times as long as there is sufficient space on the flashdrive.

Statistics can also be uploaded to the internet after an account hasbeen setup at a designated website, such as www.airborneathletics.com.The USB flash drive that was used to receive uploaded statistics fromcontroller 156 can be connected to a computer which is then logged intothe website. Statistics can then be uploaded through the internet tothat website.

Coaches can create an account at the website, create a group, and sendan email invite to all the players that will be using basketballtraining machine 10. Each player can click the link at the website andcreate his or her own profile. By joining the group, the coach can seeall of the player's statistics that have been uploaded by each playerfrom controller 156 to a USB flash drive, and from the flash drive to acomputer, and then to the website.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of basketball training system 300, whichincludes training machine 10 shown in FIGS. 1-10. Training system 300also includes physiological monitor 302, player motion monitor 304, ballmotion monitor 306, wireless speakers 308, internet enabled device 310,and website 312 (which includes database 314 and workout server 316).

Physiological monitor 302 is a wearable monitor that senses one or morephysiological parameters of the player (such as heart rate, respirationrate, temperature, blood pressure, perspiration, blood oxygenation,muscle fatigue, lactic acid, muscle recovery) and communicates thesensed physiological data wirelessly to either machine 10 or internetenabled device 310. The wireless communication can make use of any oneof a number of different available wireless communication protocols,such as Bluetooth. The physiological data is useful in monitoring theintensity of the player's workout using training machine 10 as well asthe player's fatigue and recovery, and can be used to dynamically varythe tempo, pace, range, or duration of a workout.

Player motion monitor 304 is a wearable device or group of devices thatcan be used to measure specific movements of a player to provide datafor coaches and the players to evaluate and improve technique and form.Player motion monitor 304 may be in the form of elastic bands positionedat strategic positions such as wrist and elbow, or a sleeve worn on theplayer's shooting arm, or a shirt or jersey, or some other form ofwearing apparel. In each case, the wearing apparel carries multiplemotion sensors (such as solid state accelerometers) that sense movementat specific locations on the player's body that are important forevaluation of the player's form and technique. The data collected by theset of motion sensors is transmitted wirelessly by monitor 304 tobasketball training machine 10 or to internet enabled device 310. Oneexample of a player motion monitor is a Vibrado basketball sleeve byVibrado Technologies of Sunnyvale, Calif.

The motion sensed by player motion monitor 304 can be used indetermining a number of important criteria relating to the player's formand technique. By placing a sensor near the player's wrist, another nearthe player's elbow and another at the player's shoulder, data can begathered to determine the arm movement used by the player in taking theshot. This can include the position of a player's wrist and hand whenthe ball is released, the orientation of the player's elbow (e.g.laterally inward or outward with respect to the wrist), the location ofthe player's elbow (i.e. forward or rearward with respect to the wristor shoulder), the orientation of the forearm (i.e. what degree withrespect to vertical), the follow through form and hold time of the handand wrist, the height at which the ball was released, and the extent theplayer jumped as part of taking the shot. In addition, the release timefrom catching the ball to releasing the shot can be derived from sensedmotion, particularly at the hand and wrist area. This same data can beused to estimate the arc of the shot taken by the player. Player motionmonitor 304 can also be used to monitor jump height when the playershoots jump shots. In other embodiments, only one sensor or sensors atdifferent locations may be used to determine form and technique.

Player motion monitor 304 provides another useful set of data when theworkout being conducted by system 300 involves not only shooting thebasketball, but other forms of exercise such as pushups, burpies, etc.The motion sensors of player motion monitor 304 provide data during theexercise segments of the workout to show compliance of the player withthe specified exercise, and can be used in conjunction with heart ratedata to evaluate the intensity and effectiveness of the exercise inmaintaining the desired intensity level throughout the workout. Playermotion data may also be used to vary tempo, pace, range, or duration ofa workout.

Ball motion monitor 306 provides data wirelessly to training machine 10or internet enabled device 310 to indicate the motion of the ball duringthe shooting practice. Basketballs that incorporate motion sensors havebeen developed, and include the 94 Fifty Smart Sensor basketball and theWilson Smart Basketball. The data provided by ball motion monitor 46 canbe used to determine arc of the shot taken with that ball, and therotation on the ball. In addition, data from ball motion monitor 46 canbe used in calculating release time. Data from monitor 46 will indicatewhen the ball is caught, as well as when the ball is released. With thatdata, the release time, which indicates how quickly the player was ableto take a shot after receiving the ball, can be calculated. Other formsof ball motion monitors, which include sensors external to the ball,such as video cameras, could also be used to provide so or all of thedata. Other data, including release time, dribble force, and number ofdribbles before a shot is taken can also be gathered. Movement of theplayer, for example to the left or to the right, before shooting mayalso be included in data that is gathered.

In one embodiment, the data collected by monitors 302, 304, and 306 aretransmitted wirelessly to machine 10. This allows machine 10 to gatherand synchronize the data from monitors 302, 304, and 306 with machinedata including shots taken and shots made and the location on the floorwhere the ball was delivered (and from where the shot was taken). Inthis embodiment, basketball training machine 10 gathers and organizesthe data and then delivers it to internet enabled device 310. Device 310may be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet, or a laptop computer thatis capable of receiving wireless transmissions from training device 10,and is also capable of communication over the internet with website 312.Device 310 can, in some cases, have limited data processing ability. Inthat case, the purpose of device 310 is to provide a communication linkbetween training system 300 and website 312, where data analysis takesplace. After the data has been analyzed website 312, internet enableddevice 310 can request and receive data so that the player and others,such as the player's coach can review the results of the workout.

In other embodiments, internet enabled device 310 includes anapplication program that allows it to perform data analysis on the datafrom monitors 302, 304, and 306 as well as the machine data frombasketball training machine 10. In this case, device 310 providesanalysis and generates a report for use by the player and the player'scoach. That data would then be uploaded through the internet to website312, where it is stored in the database so that the player, the coach,and any other person having permission to view the workout data canreview that data and the data analysis reports at a later time.

Website 312 also includes a workout server that provides instructionsfor performing different workouts involving different basketballshooting drills, as well as workouts that involve both basketballshooting drills as well as exercise segments. The player or the player'scoach can select workouts from the workout server from a library ofavailable workouts that can be displayed on device 310. A coach may alsocreate workouts for specific players based upon game statistics, such asshots taken and shots made by a specific player at various locations onthe court. In addition, a schedule of workouts can be established whichwill automatically be pushed by website 312 to device 310 at theappropriate dates and times. Thus, system 300 can be programmed tooperate in a way that will lead the player through a workout. Verbalinstructions can be provided to the player through wireless speakers308.

One example of the workout involving both shooting and exercise segmentsis as follows. First, the player is instructed to make ten shots atlocation A on the floor. When the first shooting drill has beencompleted, the player is instructed to perform ten pushups. Using datafrom the player motion monitor, system 10 can monitor compliance by theplayer, and end the first exercise segment after ten pushups have beencompleted. The system can also monitor the length of time that it tookto complete the exercise, and the physiological condition of the player(e.g. the heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, blood pressure,perspiration, or blood oxygenation) during the exercise segment can alsobe monitored and stored. Shooting analytics can also be monitored andstored.

The next shooting drill may require the player to make five consecutiveshots at position B. Basketball training machine 10 changes thedirection that the ball is delivered to position B and monitors mainshots until the player has successfully made five shots in a row. Afterthe second shooting drill is completed, another exercise segment may bespecified. In this case, it may be ten burpies. Alternatively, theplayer may be instructed to run in place for a specified period of timeor until a specified physiological condition has been achieved (e.g. aheart rate of 160 beats per minute). The workout will continue until allof the shooting drills and exercises have been completed. At that point,the data that has been gathered will be transferred from basketballtraining machine 10 to internet enabled device 310 (or alternativelywill have already been gathered by wireless communication device 310).Data analysis can then be performed and a report provided on the resultsof the workout.

The amount of information that can be provided to the player or theplayer's coach can be a function of the type of workout, or may beselectable by the player or the coach. Examples of information that canbe reported include feedback on the shooting technique and form such as:(a) arc of shots taken, (b) the form including shoulder, elbow, andforearm orientation, (c) how long a follow through was held, (d) whetherthe shooter had any type of hitch or tilt back in his or her shootingform, (e) release time, and (f) jumping data such the vertical heightjumped when taking a shot, as well as the hang time.

Depending on the particular drill, the workout segments may bemodifiable. In other cases, the drill may be standardized and notmodifiable so that data from the workout can be compared to datacollected from others using the same machine or other machines. In someembodiments, different levels of difficulty can be associated with theworkouts, such as high school, college, professional, etc.

Shooting statistics can also be provided. These can include shootingpercentage as a function of arc and one or more parameters. Examplesinclude shooting percentage as a function of arc and heart rate,shooting percentage as a function of arc and location on the floor, andshooting percentage as a function of arc, heart rate, and location onthe floor.

With the information on form and technique that has been gathered usingmonitors 304 and 306, comparisons can be provided between the player'sform and technique and the form or technique of players known to havedesirable form and technique when shooting. The player can see how hisor her form compares to the pros.

If a player is working on a particular aspect of his or her shootingform, a special report could be generated correlating shots made andmissed to that particular aspect of the player's form. This can give aplayer more feedback and reinforcement in real time or near real time tohelp in improving the player's skills.

The physiological data can be used by both players and coaches todetermine whether the intensity of the workouts being performed by theplayer are simulating game conditions. For example, if the data showsthat the workouts are being performed at a level at which the heart rateis slightly elevated, but well below the heart rate normally present ingame conditions, this can be an indicator to the player and the player'scoach that the workout should be performed faster or it shouldincorporate exercises which will help elevate the player's heart rate inorder to simulate the conditions encountered during real gamesituations.

In some cases, ball movement monitor 306 may not be available or may notbe used. The information from physiological monitor 302 and playermotion monitor 304 can still be used to provide a large amount ofmeaningful data for the player and the player's coach.

As discussed previously, wireless communication for monitors 302, 304,and 306 can be made directly to internet enabled device 310, rather thanthrough basketball training machine 10. This reduces the complexityrequired for the electronics and programming of device 10. A furtheradvantage is that device 310 is portable, and does not have to stay withdevice 10. The data that has been collected can remain on device 310 andat website 312, rather than being stored at training device 10.

In other embodiments, the functionality of internet enabled device 310can be integrated into basketball training device 10. This reduces anumber of separate parts of the system, and may reduce some of thewireless communication traffic that is needed to transfer data betweenbasketball training device 10 and internet enabled device 310.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that theinvention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A basketball training system comprising: a basketball trainingmachine that delivers basketballs to a player, collects basketballs shotby the player, and produces machine data relating to shots taken andshots made; a wearable physiological monitor that produces physiologicaldata representing physiological condition of the player; a wearableplayer motion monitor that produces player motion data representingmovement at one or more body locations on the player; and a programmeddevice for analyzing the machine data, physiological data, and playermotion data and provides reports relating to player shootingperformance, conditioning intensity, and shooting form and technique. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the basketball training machine providesworkout instructions to the player based upon a stored workout program,and delivers basketballs to the player based upon the stored workoutprogram.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the workout instructionsinclude shooting drill instructions and exercise instructions.
 4. Thesystem of claim 3, wherein the workout instructions are deliveredthrough a wireless speaker, or a visual display, or both.
 5. The systemof claim 3, wherein player motion data collected during exercisesegments of a workout are used by the programmed device to determinecompliance of the player with the exercise instructions.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the player motion monitor includes sensors locatedto sense movement of the player's wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the physiological monitor senses one or moreof heart rate, respiration rate, temperature, blood pressure,perspiration, blood oxygenation, lactic acid, muscle fatigue, and musclerecovery.
 8. The system of claim 1 and further comprising: a ball motionmonitor that provides ball motion data that indicates motion of abasketball during shooting practice; wherein the programmed deviceanalyzes the data from the ball motion monitor and provides reportsrelating to rotation, arc, and release time of shot basketballs.
 9. Abasketball training system comprising: a basketball training machinethat delivers basketballs to a player, collects basketballs shot by theplayer, and produces machine data relating to shots taken and shotsmade; a wearable player motion monitor that produces player motion datarepresenting movement at one or more body locations on the player; and aprogrammed device for analyzing the machine data and player motion dataand provides reports relating to player shooting performance andshooting form and technique.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thebasketball training machine provides workout instructions to the playerbased upon a stored workout program, and delivers basketballs to theplayer based upon the stored workout program.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the workout instructions include shooting drill instructionsand exercise instructions.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein theworkout instructions are delivered through a wireless speaker.
 13. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein player motion data collected during exercisesegments of a workout are used by the programmed device to determinecompliance of the player with the exercise instructions.
 14. The systemof claim 9, wherein the player motion monitor includes sensors locatedto sense movement of the player's wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
 15. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the programmed device estimates arc of shotbasketballs based on player motion data from the player motion monitor.16. A basketball training system comprising: a basketball trainingmachine that delivers basketballs to a player, collects basketballs shotby the player, and produces machine data relating to shots taken andshots made; a wearable physiological monitor that produces physiologicaldata representing physiological condition of the player; a ball motionmonitor that produces ball motion data representing movement of abasketball being shot; and a programmed device for analyzing the machinedata, physiological data, and player motion data and provides reportsrelating to player shooting performance, conditioning intensity, andball arc and rotation.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thebasketball training machine provides workout instructions to the playerbased upon a stored workout program, and delivers basketballs to theplayer based upon the stored workout program.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the workout instructions include shooting drill instructionsand exercise instructions.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein playermotion data collected during exercise segments of a workout are used bythe programmed device to determine compliance of the player with theexercise instructions.
 20. A basketball training system comprising: abasketball training machine that delivers basketballs to a player,collects basketballs shot by the player, and produces machine datarelating to shots taken and shots made; a ball motion monitor thatproduces ball motion data movement of a basketball being shot; awearable player motion monitor that produces player motion datarepresenting movement at one or more body locations on the player; and aprogrammed device for analyzing the machine data, ball motion data, andplayer motion data and provides reports relating to player shootingperformance and shooting form and technique.
 21. The system of claim 20,wherein the player motion monitor includes sensors located to sensemovement of the player's wrist, elbow, and shoulder.